Lesson Plan: Nuclear Energy Chemistry
This lesson plan includes the objectives, prerequisites, and exclusions of the lesson teaching students how to explain how energy is produced by nuclear fusion and fission in the context of nuclear power plants.
Objectives
Students will be able to
- define nuclear fission and fusion and analyze equations describing them,
- explain the creation of a chain reaction,
- explain how neutrons can be used to control chain reactions in nuclear reactors,
- describe the operation of a nuclear reactor and the disposal of nuclear waste.
Prerequisites
Students should already be familiar with
- radioactive decay,
- the subatomic composition of radioactive particles,
- nuclear power as a source of electricity.
Exclusions
Students will not cover
- detailed workings of nuclear reactors.
